The Australian breeding industry was in the spotlight at Flemington yesterday as Half Yours — bred by Janice and the late Colin McKenna — stormed to victory in the 165th running of the $10 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200 m) under a superbly judged ride from Jamie Melham.
Bred at The Union in Woolsthorpe (near Warrnambool), Half Yours was the only Australian-bred runner in this year’s field and is the first Victorian-bred Cup winner since Gala Supreme in 1973. The five-year-old gelding is the 13th horse in history to complete the famous Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double.
Half Yours is by the lightly raced stallion St Jean, who stands at Brackley Park in Avenel for a service fee of $11,000. The Irish-bred St Jean is a son of Teofilo (by Galileo) and was raced part owned by Colin and Janice McKenna, winning the Group 3 Auckland Cup before an injury ended his career.
Now in his eighth season at stud, he has produced just 67 live foals. On his dam’s side, St Jean descends from the legendary broodmare Height of Fashion, one of the most influential producers of the modern era.
For Janice McKenna, the win was deeply personal, coming a year after the loss of her husband Colin who was a passionate supporter of Australian breeding and racing, and of Jamie Melham’s career.
“Colin would have been over the moon to see this,” Mrs McKenna said.
“Half Yours was bred on the farm and to think he’s now a Melbourne Cup winner is immensely satisfying and something Colin was striving to achieve. I know he would be so proud and so thrilled for Jamie, for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, and for all the new owners.”
It was a performance of exceptional timing and composure from Jamie Melham, one of the nation’s most accomplished jockeys. A decade after Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win Australia’s most famous race, 29-year-old Melham has become the first woman to claim the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, having combined with Half Yours to take out last month’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup. The historic win also provided the father-son training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy with their first Melbourne Cup success.
Andrew Hore-Lacy, Chief Executive Officer of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse, said the victory was a proud moment for the entire breeding industry.
“This is an extraordinary achievement not just for the McKenna family, but for every breeder who continues to back the local product. Half Yours was the only Australian-bred horse in this year’s field, and his win shows that we continue to produce world-class horses right here at home. For a Victorian-bred horse to win the Cup for the first time in more than 50 years is a great source of pride for our industry.
“Australia is renowned for producing outstanding early sprinters, but yesterday’s result showcased the depth of our middle-distance and staying ranks. In recent years we’ve seen horses like Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, as well as Cox Plate champions Anamoe and State of Rest, retiring to stud here and earning strong support from breeders who want to produce sound, talented horses capable of matching it with the world’s best.”
Half Yours is the first stakes winner for his sire St Jean, and is out of the Desert King (Ire) mare La Gazelle, who is herself a half-sister to Group 3 Queen’s Cup winner Moudre (by Blevic) and 11-time winner Knock Knock (by Anyone Home).
Janice McKenna was awarded the title of 2025 Leading Victorian Small Breeder by Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) in August of this year.
TBA Release
